Job Description:

Occupational Therapist – Hospital Discharge Team

📍 Location: London
💷 Pay Rate: £38.00 per hour (Umbrella)
📋 Job Type: Temporary Contract

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Adult Social Care Hospital Discharge Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified OT to play a key role in facilitating safe, timely and effective hospital discharges while promoting independence and positive outcomes for adults with health and social care needs.

Working within the principles of the Care Act 2014 and the Discharge to Assess (D2A) model, you will undertake specialist occupational therapy assessments, identify functional needs and risks, and recommend appropriate equipment, adaptations and support arrangements to enable individuals to return home or move to the most appropriate setting.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues across health and social care services to reduce hospital discharge delays, support effective hospital flow, minimise the risk of readmission and maximise individuals' independence and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Occupational Therapy Assessments and Interventions

• Undertake comprehensive occupational therapy assessments in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and relevant professional standards.
• Complete strengths-based assessments focusing on independence, wellbeing, prevention and individual outcomes.
• Assess functional abilities, mobility, transfers, personal care needs and risks associated with daily living.
• Identify and recommend appropriate equipment, assistive technology and adaptations to support safe discharge.
• Undertake moving and handling assessments and provide recommendations to manage risks effectively.
• Develop outcome-focused support plans that maximise independence and reduce reliance on long-term care where appropriate.
• Support individuals to regain functional ability and independence following hospital admission.

Hospital Discharge and Discharge to Assess

• Facilitate safe, timely and effective discharges from acute hospitals, community hospitals and intermediate care settings.
• Contribute to the implementation and delivery of the Discharge to Assess pathway.
• Work collaboratively with NHS professionals, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nursing staff and community care providers.
• Participate in daily discharge planning meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions.
• Prioritise urgent referrals and provide timely interventions to prevent avoidable discharge delays.
• Contribute to seven-day discharge arrangements and hospital flow initiatives where required.
• Ensure discharge plans are person-centred, proportionate to assessed needs and support individuals to access the most appropriate environment.

Hospital Duty and Urgent Response

• Provide occupational therapy duty cover for urgent hospital discharge referrals.
• Respond promptly to escalated cases where occupational therapy input is required to facilitate discharge.
• Undertake same-day assessments where discharge is dependent on occupational therapy intervention.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to colleagues on complex functional assessments, equipment provision and risk management.
• Prioritise competing demands effectively to support safe discharge decisions and service delivery.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Experience undertaking occupational therapy assessments within adult social care, hospital discharge or a relevant clinical setting.
• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and the principles of Discharge to Assess.
• Experience assessing functional abilities, moving and handling needs, equipment requirements and risks.
• Understanding of hospital discharge pathways and multidisciplinary working.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and prioritise urgent referrals effectively.
• Strong assessment, decision-making, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to promoting independence, preventing unnecessary hospital stays and supporting safe transitions between hospital and community settings.

Why Apply?

Opportunity to make a direct impact on patient outcomes and hospital discharge performance.

Work within a dynamic, multidisciplinary adult social care service.

Apply specialist occupational therapy skills to support independence and safe transitions home.

Contribute to reducing delayed discharges and improving the experience of residents and their families.

Apply Now

If you are a qualified and HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with experience in hospital discharge, adult social care or community-based assessments, we would welcome your application.

Join the team and help deliver safe, effective and person-centred hospital discharges that enable individuals to regain their independence and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Mandatory: Must have a UK Passport or a Full Right to Work in the UK 

For more information, contact Natasha Haddon